Agenda and minutes

(1) The Deputy Mayor welcomed the Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Members of Parliament, Freemen and other distinguished guests to the meeting.

(2) The Deputy Mayor welcomed back all those Councillors re-elected in the Elections held on 22^nd May 2014, and welcomed Councillors Mary Martin, Gemma McCracken, Kevin Parry, Eric Shaw, Carol Shelley and Timothy Swinyard who were either newly elected or have returned after a period of absence.

(3) The Deputy Mayor announced that, in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, an additional item concerning the Return of Councillors Elected would be considered as agenda item 4(a).

          The Deputy Mayor reminded Members that this day marked the 70^th Anniversary of the World War 2 D Day Landings.  A minutes silence was held to remember all those servicemen from Swindon who were involved or had died during this event.

          The Chief Executive reported that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Steve Allsopp, Richard Hurley, Russell Holland, Nick Martin, Nicky Sewell, Julie Wright and Bob Wright.

          Councillor Teresa Page advised the Chamber that as she was a nominee for the election of Mayor of the Borough she did not wish to preside at her own election and that she intended to step down from the Chair and excuse herself from the meeting during the nomination and vote. 

Councillor Page left the Chamber.

With the agreement of the Council Councillor Derique Montaut took the Chair during this item.

          The Chair called upon the Councillors to elect a qualified person to be Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year, 2014/15.

          Councillor Kevin Small moved and Councillor Joe Tray seconded and the Council unanimously agreed that Councillor Teresa Page be Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing Municipal Year.

          Councillor Teresa Page re-entered the Chamber and took the Chair.

(Councillor Kevin Small and Joe Tray and Councillors David Renard, Jim Grant and Stan Pajak offered their support and congratulations to the Mayor, on behalf of their political groups.)

          Councillor Teresa Page made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office formally becoming The Worshipful The Mayor.

          The Worshipful The Mayor thanked the Council for her election to the post of Mayor of the Borough and thanked the staff who supported her and in particular Ms Carole Deamer (Secretary to the Mayor) who was about to commence her 25^th Year of service at the Council.

          The Mayor called upon the Councillors to elect a qualified person to be Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year, 2014/15.

          Councillor Mick Bray moved and Councillor Alan Bishop seconded and the Council agreed that Councillor Andrew Bennett be Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing Municipal Year.

(Councillors David Renard, Jim Grant and Stan Pajak offered their congratulations to the Deputy Mayor on behalf of their political groups.)

          The Deputy Mayor (Councillor Andrew Bennett) thanked Council for his election to the post of Deputy Mayor of the Borough.

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

          The Director of Law and Democratic Services reported the return of Councillors elected on 22^nd May 2014, to fill vacancies occasioned by the retirement of Councillors under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 namely:-

WARD                                        NAME OF COUNCILLOR ELECTED

          The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, thanked those Councillors who had retired from Council service.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3^rd April 2014.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd Aril 2014 be confirmed and signed.

The Mayor reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  No declarations were made.

          Mr Terry Reynolds submitted written questions regarding the UK Broadband Service.  Written responses were tabled at the meeting.

          Mr Terry Reynolds asked public questions regarding (a) the lease of the Oasis Leisure Centre, and (b) payments for vending machines. The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Leisure Services indicated that a written response would be provided.

          Mr Richard Symonds asked a public question regarding the period allocated for Public Question Time at Council meetings.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mrs Kareen Boyd asked a public question regarding the operation of the Council’s consultation process. The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mrs Kareen Boyd asked a supplemental question regarding the response provided. The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Councillor David Renard outlined proposed changes to the Council’s Footpaths and Rights of Way Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Committees which had previously been discussed by the Council’s Corporate Governance Working Group.

          Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattock seconded:

“(1) That:

(a) The Footpath and Rights of Way Committee be deleted and its work and powers be undertaken by the Council’s Planning Committee; and
(b)(i) the Health and the Children and Young People’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees be replaced by the Health, Adults and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee;
(b)(ii) the Economic, Environmental and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Committee be replaced by the Economic and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee;
(b)(iii) the Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee be replaced by the Streetsmart and Highways Overview and Scrutiny Committee;
(b)(iv) the creation of a Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and (b)(v) that the Director of Law and Democratic Services be authorised to vary the Constitution in respect of the terms of reference of these bodies in consultation with Group Leaders.
          (2)  That paragraph 6 of Appendix 4 of the report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services be deleted.
          (3) That, subject to (1) and (2) above, the revised Swindon Council’s Constitution for the Municipal Year 2014/15 be adopted.
          (4) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services be authorised, in consultation with the members of the Corporate Governance Review Working Group where appropriate, to vary the wording and layout of the Constitution and its associated documentation to reflect legislative and procedural changes should this prove necessary for the efficient discharge of Council business during the course of the Municipal Year.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattock seconded:

That the number of Members to serve on Swindon Borough Council’s Committees for the Municipal Year 2013/14, be as follows:

Appeals Committee – 15 Members

Appointments Committee – 15 Members

Audit Committee – 7 Members

Licensing Committee – 15 Members

Planning Committee – 15 Members

Special Committee – 9 Members

Scrutiny Committee – 13 Members

Health, Adults and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 19 Members

Streetsmart and Highways Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 19 Members

Economic and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 9 Members

Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 9 Members

Standards Committee – 9 Members

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattock seconded:

          “(1) That having carried out a review under Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 the Council continues to apply the political balance provisions under the Act.

          (2) That Committees and other relevant Council Bodies be reminded of their duty to carry out a review under Section 15 of the Local Government Housing Act 1989, as appropriate, and recommends that having carried out that review they continue to apply the political balance provisions.

          (3) That the Council’s waiving of the political balance arrangements on the Standards Committee, Special Committee and the South Western Ambulance Service Trust be confirmed.

          (4) That Councillors be appointed to serve on the Council’s Committees for the Municipal Year 2014/15, as set out in Appendix 1 to the Minutes.

          (5) That the appointments to the Cabinet, the nominations of Councillors serving on Cabinet Project Boards and Cabinet Advisory Bodies for the Municipal Year 2014/15, as set out in Appendix 1 to the Minutes, be noted.

          (6) That, further to (5) above, it be noted that a review of Member Project Boards and Cabinet Member Advisory Groups is being undertaken and that further appointments will be circulated to all Members of the Council when available.

          (7) That the changes to the Council’s Standards Committee, as set out in Paragraph 3.9 of the report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services, be approved.

          (8) That Chairs and Vice-Chairs be appointed to the Council’s Committees for the Municipal Year 2014/15, as set out in the Appendix 1 to the Minutes, and where no appointment to Vice-Chair positions have been made these be determined at the first meeting of the relevant Committees.

          (9) That representatives be appointed to serve on Other and Outside Bodies for the Municipal Year 2014/15, be as set out in Appendix 1 to the Minutes.

Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattock seconded:

“(1) That subject to changes to the Committee Structure agreed under Agenda Item 8, the Timetable of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2014/15, attached as an Appendix to the report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services, be approved.

(2) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to vary the dates for meetings of the Council, the Cabinet, Committees and Other Swindon Borough Council bodies should this prove necessary for the efficient discharge of Council business.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          The Director of Law and Democratic Services reported that a Standing Order 15 question had been received from Councillor Des Moffatt.

          Councillor Des Moffatt asked a supplementary question regarding the lease of the Oasis Leisure Centre. The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.